Comments on: Mt. Diablo district responds to Diablo View MS teacher arrest

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:10:38 +0000

My 4 children went to Mt Diablo Elementary School…
At the end of my daughter’s 8 grade we had a meeting with the school staff… At the end of the meeting, I, along with my daughter…complained about Mr. Cottrell… My daughter told the staff that Mr. Cottrell would fondle him self in front of all students in class…
The staff response was…that they have heard ”rumors” of this kind about Mr. Cottrell…but that they could do nothing without evidence, and that it’s very difficult to fire a teacher just on ”hear say”….
So for the school staff to say at the time of his arrest that they were SHOCKED about Mt. Cottrell’s doings, is total BS!!!!!!… THEY KNEW for years and years!!!!!
My daughter is a Sophmore right now…so how long has this been going on???

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:37:40 +0000

I’m sure it depends on the circumstances.
In the instance I’m citing, the teacher’s personal problems were interfering with the teacher’s ability to be effective in the classroom. Still, the complaints spanned two school years and the teacher was given numerous opportunities to try to resolve the issues, before administrators made it clear there would be no more leniency, for the sake of students.
In that case, several teachers and students were expressing concerns. If only one parent complains, I’m not sure if the district would pursue it so aggressively.
I also know of another case where parents pulled their child out of a school, after complaining about the teacher. More than a year later, the teacher resigned. In that instance, the parents felt that the principal did not take their complaints seriously enough and that the school climate was not conducive to learning.

By: NitWit

NitWit — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:02:20 +0000

Almost impossible to get a teacher fired, w/ all due respect Theresa. I’ve dealt with a situation that went all the way up the chain of command. It resulted in the teacher being transferred to another school.

By: Just J

Just J — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:38:22 +0000

I would also like to add how many Great teachers we have at DVMS. We sould not think we have a bad school because of a mintake(s) and for what this very sick person did. We have some that are unpopular with kids because of to much homework or personality differences but I have never heard of anyone saying things or acting “creepy” about the other teachers. There is a difference between many complaints year after year and a few from an angry student because of a grade. All complaints should be looked into but both sides should be heard.
I have only heard one teacher say that kids lie so don’t believe them if they something about their teacher. That teacher is now in jail.

I have a great deal of repect for the other teachers that I have come in contact with and my child thinks his teachers are cool and awesome!

I am not willing to settle for a teacher who does not teach. If WAS wants to have his children in a class with a teacher who won’t teach then I guess he has that right. We need to all get real and stop settleing for the status quo. we all want what is best. I am sure most teachers want the same but the sad truth is some are burnt out. We need to find a way to recharge them or they need to go.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:02:13 +0000

Yes, it is possible to fire a teacher (or strongly encourage him or her to resign under the threat of being fired), but it often takes a lot of work and a lot of time.
I received paperwork regarding one such instance that involved numerous student and parent complaints, meetings with the principal and district office administrators — all heavily documented via emails, memos, etc.
I also know of an instance where a parent filed a Uniform Complaint with the district, after feeling the school was not taking the situation seriously enough. If parents are truly concerned, but they feel the principal is unresponsive, they can go higher up the chain of command.
Flirtatious behavior between students and teachers may not be as uncommon as people would like to believe. I know of one teacher in another district several years ago who received unsolicited romantic notes from a student and reported the situation to the principal.
At another school a few years ago, a parent told me a male teacher made inappropriate comments about her daughter and tended to favor female students. A student at the school told me a teacher once sat on a student’s lap.
One of the MDHS teachers also talked about a student making flirtatious comments and touching a teacher’s rear end. She felt the student was not disciplined appropriately.
I don’t know if teachers receive training about what is and is not acceptable behavior, or if the district just trusts them to act appropriately. I also don’t know if the district teaches students what is and is not sexual harassment.

By: Just J

Just J — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:34:48 +0000

I have been having parents tell me everyday that they complained about him looking down their daughters tops and at their butts. I only repeat what people tell me direct. I tend to think these parents are telling the truth rather than believe the school.
parents have been complaining about his teaching ability for at least 6 years. From what I understand from the article here “bad” teachers can be fired. If the admins are to lazy to file a complaint then I suppose having thousands of kids uneducated is their fault.

By: Wait a Minute

Wait a Minute — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:18:09 +0000

So first WAS tried to tell us it wasn’t rape and instead blames the girls parents.

And now WAS wants to blame the Union and the Charter for Cottrell’s actions?

So WAS, not only are you pro apologist for the district and their terrible leaders, now you are anti charter, union and teachers!

You wouldn’t happen to be a buddy of Gary would you?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:29:22 +0000

I don’t believe the charter MOU with the teachers’ union has been negotiated yet. It’s true that teachers who currently work for the school have the right to continue to work there. However, I’m not sure if tenure is promised. Most charter schools have greater control over staffing than traditional public schools.

By: Wait a second

Wait a second — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:27:39 +0000

justj 10 The complaints against him were that he was a bad teacher. The union will not allow a teacher to be fired if he is alittle weird. He is a math teacher. Remember this as the charter moves forward with their grandfathered in union teachers. They will never be able to get rid of the bad ones after signing on with the union. They can’t even transfer them to another school. That was one of their biggest blunders.

By: ANON

ANON — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:22:05 +0000

Was it “Wait a Second” or “Another CV Parent” that had brought up sexual scandals involving a charter school as an argument against the charter a while back? I think this incident here in the district shows that was a stupid argument to make. Someone ought to be eating some crow for that. But, as most people have seen here, the only arguments that charter opponents have been able to come up with are based on fear.